Extensible bracelet



Feb. 14, 1928. 1,659,438

N.T.NELSON I EXTENSIBLE BRACELET Filed April 5. 1926 7 ATTORNEYS.

Patented eb. 14,1928.

1,659,438. UNITEDOS'TATES PATENT OFFICE.

NELS T. NELSON, OFATTLEJBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO J. F. STUBDYBSONS (10., F ATTLEBORO FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA-CHUSETTS.

Application filed April 8 This invention relates to an improved construction of extensible bracelet or chaln,

- and has for its object to provide a device of this character which isconstructed of links for the. purpose of removin or" insert ing one ormore links to adjust the working length of the bracelet.

A further object of this invention is to provide the box link with topand side walls and with a cross-bar at either end thereof, and to mounta slide link of the band type to straddle the bars in the box links; theband link having one of its walls slit permitting it to be hooked intothe cross bar.

of the next adjacent box link to connect the links together, a springbeing mounted 1n the links to act between the band link and the crossbarof the box link in which it is housed to yieldably press the band linkto housed position therein. 7. l

With these and other ob ects in view, the

invention consists of certain novel. features.

of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularlypointed out in the appended claims.

- In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a viewof the front of awatch bracelet showing a series of box links of my improvedconstruction, which box l nks house the slide links employed to flexiblyconnect them together. 7

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of my improved box links showingthe to wall and side walls, the end walls at bot] ends of the link beingslit to form a crossbar in each.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the under side of this box linkshowing the crossbar at either end thereof and the inturned guideflanges on the lower edges of the side walls. Figure t is aperspectiveview of the so-- called band link which is formed of a strip or ribbonof metal folded into band form leaving an open slit through one of itswalls. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the band link as partiallyhoused in the box link.

Figure 6 is a sectional to View showing two box links as connectetogether and housing a spring and a band link in each.

nxrnivsinnn BRACELET.

1926. Serial No. 100,635.

Figure 9 1s a sectional edge view with thelinks in the same position, asshown in Fi 'ure8.

igure 10 is a section on line 1010 of Figure 9, showing the band link insection and straddling the cross bar of the box link.

Figure 11 1s a diagrammatic view illustrating the relative positions ofthe links when the band link is being connected or disconnected from thebox link.

In constructing bracelets of this extensible type, it is found inpractice of advantage to provide a broad top face adapted to receiveornamentation or decoration and to provide a slide link connecting thetwo adjacent box links, the same also having a broad top face to receivesimilar ornamentation and also to close the space between the box linkswhen in extended osition. Also, it is found of advantagew ere theselinks are manufactured in large quantities, and especially when made ofthe precious metals, to be able' to make the same with the minimumnumber of parts by machinery and to form them strong and durable; and toso construct these links that they may be readily assembled in thefactor also to so form these links that they may a readily disconnectedone from the other by the wearer, or by a local jeweler, so that thelength of the braceletmay be adjusted tofit the arm of the wearer; andthe following is a detailed de scription of the present embodiment of myinvention and showin one construction of both box and band lin by whichthese advantageous results ma be accomplished Withreference to tliedrawings, 10 designates the so-called box link as being provided with'ato) wall 11, side walls 12 and end walls 13. he lower edges of these endwalls are cut away as at 14, and these walls are also slotted as at 15adjacent the top plate thus forming a cross-bar 16 extending between theside walls at either end thereof.

The lower edges of the side walls of this box link are herein shown asbeing provided with lips 17 which are adapted to be foldedinwardlytoward each other to provide guide the next adjacent box linkthrough it to 0011-,

nect the box and band links together.

In assembling the parts, I mount this band link with a spring 23therein, in the box link to straddle the cross-bar 18 at one end ofthebox link, the end 24 of the spring abutting against the cross-bar whileits opposite end 25 abuts against the inner end of the band serving tonormally press it to housed position in the box link. The'slit 22 in theband link preferably faces towards the front of the bracelet and thisslit is in such position as to be exposed only when the band link isdrawn out to its extreme or extended position, and when in this extendedposition the end bar 16 of the next adjacent box link may be hookedthrough the slit 22 in the band link to connect the diiferent linkstogether.

In order to permit this hooking action of the box link into the bandlink, I have cut away the ends 26 of the inturned walls 17 of the boxlink slightly so as to just permit its cross bar to pass through theslot in the band link and swing into longitudinal alignment therewith.

By my improved construction of bracelet, it will be seen that I havepractically reduced the construction to two members and also haveobtained all the desired features of such a bracelet which is that ofproviding a broad exposed face on both links for ornamentation, the bandlink also serving to close the space between the box links when inpartly extended position. By providing a slot in one of the walls of theband link and a cross.

bar on the ends of the box link, the two members may be readilyconnected and disconnected to permit insertion or removal of one or morelinks to adjust the operating length of the bracelet.

I have shown and described the slit in the band link as facing outwardlybut this slit may face inwardly towards the Wrist if desired. V

The foregoing description is directed s0lely towards the constructionillustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve theprivilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to-which the deviceis susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by theterms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an extensible bracelet structure, a

series of box links each having top and side walls, a bar at each end ofeach box linkextending across between the side walls there-' of, a bandlink embracing one of said bars and slidable 1n the box llnk and havlngfront and rear walls, a spring acting against the embraced bar and theband'link to press the walls, the edges of said side walls being in-'turned to provide guide flanges, a bar at each 7 end of said linkextending across between the sidewalls thereof, a band link having frontand rear walls slidably mounted in the box link between its front walland its said guide flanges and embracing one of said bars, and one ofsaid band walls being provided with an open transverse slit of a widthto permit the passage of the opposite bar of an adjacent link todetachably connect the two link ends together.

3. In an extensible bracelet structure, a series of box links eachhaving a front wall and slotted end walls, saidlink also having sidewalls with inturned edges forming guide flanges, a band-shaped linkhaving front and rear walls with the front wall slidable through theslot in one ofthe end, walls of said box link and its rear wall guidedby said flanges, a spring acting between said. band link and the endwall through which it extends to press the latter to housed position inits box link, and the other end of said band link being connected to theslotted end of the next box link. g

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

NELS r. NELSON.

